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Learn how to make a lava lamp experiment without Alka Seltzer! It’s a fun science experiment to do with your children.
Have you ever wanted to know how to make a lava lamp without Alka Seltzer tablets? I often find myself without those on hand!
We’ve made lava lamp experiments in the past using Alka Seltzer tablets.
We actually just did it again with Louis for the first time. It was fun to see his reactions!
But, the fun didn’t last long.
I ran out of Alka Seltzer fast. I only had 2 tablets to begin with.
It wasn’t even a day later that a member of my Facebook group, The Huddle, asked how to make a lava lamp without Alka Seltzer.
That got me searching to find an answer! I found an awesome video here with an explanation of what to do.
Then we had some fun making lava lamp experiments again, but this time, without Alka Seltzer tablets!
I also finally found some skinny glasses to use. I kept looking for bottles, but once I thought of using glasses, skinny ones were easy to find!
How to make a lava lamp without Alka Seltzer tablets:
I filled each glass about two-thirds to three-fourths full with water. Another plus of this concoction is that it’s mostly water and not nearly as much oil!
From there, the boys took over. They chose their color of food coloring and put a couple drops in each glass.
I do recommend keeping it on the lighter side to see the lava lamp bubble effect better.
Next, fill the rest of the glass with oil. Leave a good half an inch at the top of the glass.
We filled ours too full the first time we tried it.
And then the fun begins, and this is the secret ingredient to make a lava lamp without Alka Seltzer.
Salt.
Just regular table salt.
You could pour it in, or spoon it in like the boys did.
At first, it’s crazy bubbly as the salt finds its way to the bottom. That salt sinks fast!
But then the slow part begins, the true lava lamp part, as the bubbles slowly emerge from the salt at the bottom finding their way to the top.
I actually think this way to make a lava lamp without is much more like the lava lamps we used to have in our bedrooms.
The boys truly enjoyed watching the effects of there lava lamp experiments without alka seltzer!
And this was all before a day at school.
They may have gotten up super early that day…
Here’s a quick video of Louis dumping in the salt to create the lava lamp effects. I wish I could show it better!
What science experiments do you like to do with your children?
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tdchinges says
I’ve been particularly interested in lava lamps lately, thanks for the tutorial on how to make them!
William Spear says
I love lava lamps because of their colors. The color of the lava lamp attracts me to touch them. Thanks for sharing the steps of making a lava lamp without Alka seltzer. I am very much excited to make a lava lamp of my own.
Jolene Ejmont says
Wow, this is cool! We will sure try it out, another activity and experiment to try out with my kids. Thanks for sharing.
Priyanka says
Good
Arianah says
this is not a very good recipe its nice and very cool though
Rachel says
It worked my son was soooo happy when he saw this lava lamp 10/10
Sonya says
How long do the lava lamps last? Can you put them in a bottle with a lid to keep them longer?
Tabitha Lightfoot says
Hi Sonya! I don’t know for sure how long it would last, but the chemical reaction is short-lived. Give it a try and let us know!
noell says
have you tried it with baking powder? that makes nice bubbles, too!
Tabitha Lightfoot says
We haven’t – but we should try that next time! Great idea!
Rachael Prewett says
Possibly a better way to do it with alka seltzer – use vinegar instead of water. Color it with food color/water colors. Put oil on top… and drop in baking soda.
Urmila says
Omg, what a fantastic activity. Really love it. Best part of this that it is totally child safe. We can get ingredients easily from the kitchen.
paityn says
the little one looks sooooooooooooooooooooooooooo cute how old our your boys
Tabitha Lightfoot says
When Jamie did this activity with her boys, Henry was 7 years old, George was 4 years old and Louis was 2 years old. Have fun with it!
Marissa Evans says
this activity was amazing and very fun to do
Emma says
This sucks it doesn’t even work and it just made an ugly mess
Tabitha Lightfoot says
I’m so sorry to hear that you had such a negative experience. I’ve personally done this with my kids and they enjoyed it.
I would encourage you to try another activity. The ideas we share are all very thoughtfully planned out and have all been done with our kids prior to posting.
Leif says
I didn’t have the alka seltzer of the original experiment, so I made three jars: one with salt, one with baking soda and one with a broken up Tums. There were a few minute bubbles in all three, but the reaction was sooooooo slooooooow. The salt was the most bubbly of the three, but it was definitely a letdown for the kids who were expecting a Mentos in Diet Coke type moment rather than an I-dropped-a-rock-in-water-and-I-think-I-might-see-some-bubbles-forming-if-I-squint-at-it-long-enough moment.
Rachael says
OMG, these comments. ????
(Except for the salad dressing one. That was cute.)
Ofelia Vasquez says
I’m noticing when the child is drawing using markers, he’s holding the marker upside down, but no one correct the child. Why is that?
Mackenzie Blohm says
Wow this expirament was awesome but I think I did it wrong
Micaela says
I like the simplicity of the ingredients. Helps explain what science stuff is happening easier. An average kiddo doesn’t know the concept of alka seltzer as they do salt.
Will be trying this soon during Nanny time!!
Arslan Ahmad says
Its so AWSOME. I am so much impressed.
Joe i says
I love the idea. I wanted to show my grandchildren what I had when I was a child and it is more fun to be able to have them help me make or I help them create the lava lamp. I would love to receive more ideas to show them other interesting projects. I Cut the boards to build bird houses and I go to their home with my nail gun and small portable compressor and have them build the birdhouse with me holding the nail gun as a safety precaution. Then they have to pain it. I look on Pinterest for a different bird house each year.
Isabella says
OK, this sounds like a good idea
Chanel says
This did not work for us. The bubbles were barely visible and it didn’t last very long. The alkaseltzer recipe works much better. (Efferdent denture cleanser tablets work just as well, too.)
Eliza Boyd says
If you put this in a jar, and constantly flipped it over once the bubbles got to the top, would it last longer? Or the salt stops acting after a few minutes and it’s over?
Rachel says
I don’t know for sure how much difference that would make, but the chemical reaction is short-lived, so I don’t think it will change it that much. Give it a try and let us know!
Ava says
I definitely gonna made this lava lamp, it looks so amazing :)
Thanks for sharing this post with us.
Kathryn says
This was fun for my four-year old. Thank you for having such a great site!
Rachel says
Glad you guys liked it!
Thazin says
Do the lava lamps last for a long time?
Rachel says
The reaction doesn’t last for very long. But it sure is cool to watch!
N. says
is there a time limit..? my project display will be in December probably and I dont want to make it again later on
Hallee says
The lava lamp did not work it was a big wast highly recommend not to go it
David says
Hi
how long does the Lava lamp last before you have to put more salt in and is there a point where this doesn’t work
cheers
Jeannene says
How long does the bubbles last? I want to make some sensory bottles for my classroom.
Mhe Ann says
Your experiment is so nice thank you because I could use them in our Science class here in our day care! We are from the Philippines.
Jake Hicks says
Thank you so much! I will have to try this! I can’t use alka seltzer because it is hard to find where we live. Thank you again. Lots of love!!!! :D
Brandon says
how much does this cost to make
Kyah says
How long do the lava effect last?
deedee says
What is the science behind this?
priyanka says
could you please tell me how long it would last?
Zazy says
Couple seconds
Evelyn says
My mom is forcing me to dispose of this, however I can’t pour the whole thing down the drain as its bad for the environment. I need help ASAP!
Destinee Fields says
I’m doing this for my science project and this really better work.
Evan Farrelino says
Hi, thanks for the information but I have questions or just one maybe.
What happen if we shake the bottle? Well I’m using a plastic soda bottle and thought that shaking the bottle after adding all the ingredients will make more of those bubbles or make them appear and not hide on the bottom or at the top, if they are anyway.
Jamie Reimer says
I’m not sure! Try it and report back!
Destinee Fields says
I think that this is a good way to make a lava lamp with no Alka Seltzer
Ava says
How long does it take to do this experiment?
Jamie Reimer says
Its quite fast actually – only takes as long as it takes you to get the ingredients together. And then you can add in the alka seltzer for as long as you want.
Ammarah says
How long does this last
Ayesha says
Will it actually glow?
Jamie Reimer says
No, it does not glow.
May says
So cool! must try it out :)
Gabriel John says
Hello! Alka-seltzer tablets are not available in the Philippines, and so I looked for an alternative. Thanks for this suggestion! However, how long does this last? Will it keep working for quite a week, a month, or even longer? Thanks!
I am a human says
It doesn’t last very too long. I’ve never actually tried it out though. Also, you’re Filipino? Cool. My parents are from there. And my last name is Tabamo, translating to “You’re fat.” But luckily, I’m in the states, where most people don’t know that.
Sofie says
I really like this experiment! We had some alka-seltzer lying around and so i was wondering what 2 do withit. That was i stumbled upon this!?
Indie12 says
I really want to make this, but I was wondering did you use vegetable oil or olive oil? Or did you just use regular? Thanks!
Jolanthe says
I think we will be adding this to our summer fun list!
Bridget - The Recipe Wench says
What a fun activity! I think my husband would even get a kick out of this! Thanks for sharing with us at the Inspire Me Mondays Link-Up!
Corie says
Tonight I was making salad dressing (an Italian vinaigrette) and thought of this experiment! I used a good seasonings bottle, added vinegar, water, then oil. With the apple cider vinegar it was a little like a gold colored lava lamp. Then I added kosher salt (1 tap or so), Italian seasoning (1 tbsp), crushed red pepper (1/2 tsp) and 1 tsp garlic powder. Finally I squirted in 2 tbsp of dijon mustard which quickly sunk the spices to the bottom causing the bubbles like the lava lamp! The air from the seasonings kept escaping to add more bubbles and the dijon swirled. And now not only was it fun to watch, I have something for lunch tomorrow :) Thanks Jamie for helping me see that even normal activities like preparing salad dressing can be a hands on activity!
Jamie Reimer says
Oh my, that’s so cool Corie! Thanks for sharing your little experiment/lunch! :)